In the framework of the European project entitled “Actions for Awareness and Promotion of Sustainable Rice Production in Greece and Spain”, a Masterclass was organized in Alexandroupolis for professional chefs, representatives of institutions, media and business restaurateurs in the hospitable and well-equipped space of the restaurant “Harama by the Sea”, with the Rice Chef Ambassador of the project in Greece, Dina Nikolaou.
The programme, with the distinctive title EU RICE, is implemented by the Agricultural Partnership of Thessaloniki (EASTH) and the Consejo Regulador de la DOP Arroz de Valencia (PDO Rice Regulatory Authority of Valencia). At the event, the participants were presented with the contribution of rice cultivation to the conservation of wetlands, the use of abundant water resources, the maintenance of soil sustainability and, in general, to the ecological balance and the socio-economic development of the areas of cultivation and production. The participants were also informed about rice produced in Europe, a product of high nutritional value, rich in nutrients and safe, since it is cultivated in compliance with the strict European regulations for agricultural production.
At the restaurant “Harama by the Sea”, the Rice Chef Ambassador of the program in Greece, Dina Nikolaou, prepared 3 original and highly creative recipes, using Greek rice. The recipes were:
Rice salad with mushrooms and asparagus
Pilafi with lamb
Rice pudding
During the process, the dynamics of the utilization of unique Greek raw materials, the evolution of traditional recipes, but also the special value, the excellent taste and behavior of Greek European medium grain rice in cooking were discussed and presented.
The executing agency of the EURICE programme is NOVACERT, the largest consultancy company specialising in the agri-environmental and food sector, while the promotion and information events in Greece have been entrusted to Chef Stories.
